This anthology begins with Bulgakov's own "Autobiographical Notes"--moving first-person accounts of his experiences. Then follow sections on economic ideals, religion, philosophy, and sociology. The closing section presents five sermons, all emphasizing the theme of joy.

Bulgakov himself is part of a distinct development of Russion religious philosophy which began with Alexei Khomiakov in the first half of the nineteenth century and which includes other important figures, such as Soloviev and Berdyaev. The developing tradition is both a reaction to certain themes and methods of Western philosophy and theology and an attempt to devise new interpretations of Eastern Orthodox Christianity, especially in the context of its historical development in Russian across the centuries. This developing school is characterized by its creativity, imagination, and daring. Its critical encounter with Marxism and the Russian revolution gives it peculiarly contemporary significance.

Since few of Bulgakov's writings have been available in English, this selection will interest all concerned with Russian secular and religious thought, and students of modern Christian movements.